This week we will look at models of politics. Why do we need them? And what is democracy? What are the key mechanisms that comparative politics researchers have described to help them understand the workings of democratic politics? Whis week, we will examine these questions.

This week is exceptional in the sense that it is OK to read the required readings after the class meetings. Beginning with the second week, you will be expected to read the required readings before the class meeting for which they are assigned.

Required:

Read chapters 1 and 2 and section 3.4 in chapter 3 from De Vries, C., B. Hobolt, S., Proksch, S., & Slapin, J. (2021). Foundations of European Politics: A Comparative Approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press.